Striker reinforcement for hydroformed automotive door frame

Abstract

A striker reinforcement plate is configured for installation into the interior of a closed section, hydroformed tubular automotive frame member. The striker reinforcement plate is formed with an enlarged mounting tab at one end and a weld tab at the opposing end. The striker reinforcement plate is inserted through a slot formed into the wall of the tubular frame member, against which the enlarged mounting tab prevents the striker reinforcement plate from falling through the slot, and the weld tab is inserted through a special formed opening to receive the weld tab. The weld tab can then be welded to the exterior surface of the tubular frame member, which combined with the enlarged mounting tab secured against the slot holds the striker reinforcement plate in place for final assembly of the striker. The striker can then be bolted to the reinforcement plate and be positionally adjusted in a conventional manner.

1. An automotive body structure comprising:
 a tubular frame member having an interior surface and an exterior surface and being formed with a pair of oversized holes, a mounting slot and an engagement opening; and 
 a striker reinforcement plate mounted on the interior surface of said frame member and including:
 a central portion formed with a pair of vertically spaced mounting holes alignable with said oversized holes in said frame member; 
 an enlarged mounting tab at one end of said striker reinforcement plate connected to said central portion by at least one first strip, said mounting tab being engagable with said mounting slot; and 
 a weld tab at an opposing end of said striker reinforcement plate connected to said central portion by at least one second strip, said weld tab being received within said engagement opening. 
 
 
   
   
     2. The automotive body structure of  claim 1  wherein said central portion is sized to pass through said mounting slot, said mounting tab having a size dimension that prevents said mounting tab from passing through said mounting slot. 
   
   
     3. The automotive body structure of  claim 2  wherein said weld tab extends through said engagement opening to permit welding thereof to said exterior surface of said frame member. 
   
   
     4. The automotive body structure of  claim 3  wherein said at least one first strip includes a pair of deformable strips interconnecting said mounting tab and said central portion, said at least one second strip including a pair of deformable strips interconnecting said weld tab and said central portion. 
   
   
     5. The automotive body structure of  claim 4  wherein said central portion is movable relative to said mounting tab and said weld tab through deformation of said deformable strips to permit an adjustable positioning of said mounting holes relative to said oversized holes in said frame member. 
   
   
     6. The automotive body structure of  claim 5  wherein said tubular frame member is formed through a hydroforming process. 
   
   
     7. The automotive body structure of  claim 5  wherein said mounting slot is formed in said frame member below said oversized holes, said engagement opening being formed above said oversized holes. 
   
   
     8. The automotive body structure of  claim 5  wherein said tubular frame member is a B-pillar of an automobile.